This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
South Ogden • A young South Ogden soldier has died in Kunar province, the third Utah serviceman to lose his life in Afghanistan this month.
Raphael Arruda's family learned of his death Sunday morning, the family's LDS Church bishop, Craig Scott, said.
Arruda, who died Saturday, was "a fine young man with a commitment to service," said Scott, bishop of the South Ogden 6th Ward.
Arruda's father was in the family's native country of Brazil on Sunday, tending to affairs in the wake of his mother's death less than two weeks ago, Scott said.
According to Facebook posts by his family, Arruda, a combat engineer in the U.S. Army, was patrolling in a mine-resistant vehicle when it was struck by an explosive device. Arruda died as a result of the blunt force trauma caused by the blast.
He is the third serviceman from Utah killed in Afghanistan in two weeks. Preston J. Suter, 22, of Sandy, died July 5 in Paktia province when his Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb. A graveside service for Suter, a military police officer in the Army, is planned for Tuesday in Sandy.
Five days later, 22-year-old Marine Norberto Mendez Hernandez of Logan, was shot in the back of the head while on patrol in Helmand province. The infantryman died July 10. His family plans to have his funeral and burial in California.
Arruda's Facebook page said he attended Bonneville High School in Ogden in 2007-2008 and that he joined the U.S. Army in 2008.
A friend he met during basic training, Darrell Banks, said Arruda loved to joke, laugh and dance, but was not the sort to ever invite trouble.
The two went through basic and advanced training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri in the summer of 2008, Banks said.
Once, when friends suggested sneaking out for candy, in violation of rules, Arruda cautioned against it. "He wanted to always avoid trouble, but would never tell," Banks said. Arruda would take whatever punishment the sergeant dished out, he said.
The two often had long conversations about religion, Banks said. "He was very solid in his faith, very committed to his beliefs, but open and compassionate to others," said Banks, now working at a Christian camp in Florida.
Two American flags were posted along the family's walkway Sunday. The family did not immediately return requests for comment.
Tribune reporter Nate Carlisle contributed to this report.